Washing brushes



L. J. MUNDO WASHING BRUSHES Feb, 2, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 10,1963 INVENTOR.

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L. J. MUNDO WASHING BRUSHES Feb. 2, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 10,1963 a 5 w V d W 5 MC 1/ m Feb. 2, 1965 J. MUNDO 3,

WASHING BRUSHES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 10, 1963 INVENTQR. Jaw/ c/ WWUnited States Patent 3,167,860 WASHING BRUSHES Louis J. Mundo, 1407 W.Pershing Road, Qhicago 9, ill. Filed May 10, 1963, Ser. No. 279,516Claims. (Q1. 15-479 My invention relates to new and useful improvementsin washing brushes especially constructed and adapted to be used inwashing machines for washing automobiles, railroad cars, busses and thelike.

Brushes of this character which are now presently in use comprise aplurality of brush units each consisting of a core carrying bristles ofhigh density. Such cores are mounted in superimposed aligned relationwith respect to each other upon a shaft. Upon rotation of such shaft thebrush units are rotated against the surface of an automobile, railroadcar, bus, or the like being washed and cleaned.

The brush units due to the strenuous use to which they are subjectedmust, from time to time, be replaced. Such replacement is usually doneby one other than a skilled mechanic. Consequently it is essentiallynecessary that the brush units be of a construction such as will permiteasy and quick removal from the shaft individually whenever conditionsrequire. To reduce to a minimum time and labor necessary to facilitatesuch expeditious removal of the brush units, the structure should be assimple as possible.

It is one of the principal objects of this invention to provide brushunits which comprise relatively few parts and which are of a simplestructure to facilitate easy and quick removal.

A further and equally important object of the invention is to provideeach of the brush units with a core which will be substantially durableand capable of withstanding the rugged treatment to which it issubjected and yet be of a relatively light weight, the latter beingimportant from the standpoint that when a plurality of brush units arearranged upon and connected to a shaft in superimposed aligned positionwith respect to each other, the weight of the completed unit will bereduced to a minimum.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of partsto be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brush assembly utilizing the brushunits of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view partly in section ofthe brush units with the bristles removed;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the brush unit as seen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 4-4 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view taken substantially on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one of the end plates of the brush unit;

FIG. 7 is a plan View of the reverse side of that shown in FIG. 6 andtaken substantially on line 77 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 88 of FIG.6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective sectional detail view through thecore of the brush unit;

FIG. 10 is an end view of one of the core sections embodied in theinvention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modifiedform of construction;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of that shown infIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line l313 ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of an intermediate plate embodied in the formof construction shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially online 15-15 of FIG. 14.

The brush assembly of the form of construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 10inclusive is indicated generally at B. Such assembly includes anelongated rotatable shaft 20. Mounted longitudinally on such shaft 29,in superimposed aligned position with respect to each other, are brushunits 21. As each of such brush units 21 is of like construction, thedescription of one will be equally applicable to the other. Each brushunit 21 comprises a hollow core 22 (FIG. 2). Each core comprisescomplementary hollow core sections 23 and 24. Such core sections 23 and24 are of similar construction, each being substantially semi-circularin cross section and formed preferably of light-weight metal or othermaterial, such as plastic or the like.

In the present instance, while each core section 23 and 24 is formed ofextruded metal, the same may be cast or molded. Each section 23 and 24provides an inner wall 25 and an outer wall 26. The outer Wall 26 has aplurality of openings 27 formed therein. In line with these openings 27,there are formed in the inner wall openings 23. The diameter of each ofthe openings 28 is substantially smaller (FIG. 9) than that of thediameter of each of the openings 27. A bundle of flexible bristles 2? ofproper bristle density is folded longitudinally upon itself, as forexample, in U-shaped form. A wire thread 30 is projected through one ofthe openings 27 and through the folded bundle at its bight portion so asto enable the inner end portion of the bundle to be drawn through theopening 27 where it is secured by the Wire thread 30. This method ofsecuring the bristles to the core is wellknown in the art and, per so,does not constitute a part of the present invention. The bristles arepreferably formed of polystyrene, or such other material as will bestserve the purpose.

After the bristles have been assembled upon the core in the manner shownin FIG. 9, the length of the bristles is made uniform by any suitablemanner wellknown in the art.

The walls 25 and 26 have their respective long edges integrallyconnected together by webs 31 (FIG. 2). The walls 25 and 26 arereinforced by spaced apart reinforcing ribs 32, FIG. 10. After thebristles have been securely connected to the core sections 23 and 24,the core sections of each brush unit are arranged in confrontingrelation with respect to each other to form an elongated coresubstantially circular in cross section.

To mount the brush cores 22 upon the shaft 20 superimposed alignedposition vviith respect to each other, there are provided intermediateplates 33 and end caps 34. The intermediate plates 33 are of similarconstruction. Each comprises semi-circular coplanar segments 35 and 36.Along the abutting edges of the segments 35 and 36 are abutting flanges37 and 38 defining therebetween a split bearing sleeve 39 through whichthe shaft 20 passes. On one side 40' of the segments 35 and 36 atopposite ends of the flanges 37 and 38 (FIG. 6) are lateral flanges 40which form circumferential grooves 41. On the said one side 40' of thesegments 35 and 36 there are formed integral spaced flanges 42 arrangedin pairs, with each pair providing a groove 44 in circumferentialalignment with the grooves 41. The outer of the flanges 42 each carry aset screw 43 which bears against the adjacent end portion of the coresections 23 and 24 (FIG. 2) to secure such core sections within thegrooves 4-1 and 44.

On the opposite side 45 (FIG. 7) of each segment 35 ments 35 and 36incoplan'ar relation with respect to each other and upon the shaft 20.When the core sections 23 and 24 are assembled to form thecore of thebrush unit, the opposed end portions 52 thereof will be mounted toengage in the grooves 41, .44, 44 and48, respectively (FIG. 2). When thecore sections 23 and 24 are thus assembled with respect to theintermediate plates 33,.tl1e plates 35 are removably keyed to the shaft26 by means of removable keys 53 (FIG. 3). Such keys 53 engage in keyslots 54 and 55 formed respectively in the bearing sleeves 39 and 47,and in the shaft 2t}. In this manner, the intermediate plates 33 areconnected to the shaft Zti for rotation therewith.

The cap 34 (FIGS. 2-4), like the intermediate plates through openingsformed in the adjacent end portions 57 of the core sections 23 and 24and which are threaded into the flanges 56.

The cap 34 likewise has abutting flanges 58 opposite the side thereofbearing the grooves 56. These flanges '53 provide a split bearing sleeve59 through which the shaft 26 projects and is removably keyed thereto bykeys .eti engaging in the slots 55 and 60' formed in the shaft 29 andbearing sleeve 59, respectively (FIG. 2). The flanges 58 are connectedin abutting relation with respect to each other and upon the shaft 20 bynut-bearing bolts 61 1 (FIGS. 23).

Should it be required that one of the brush units, for example, the unitindicated at B (FIG. 1) be removed, the removal of this brush unit isaccomplished in the following manner:

The bolts 58' are unscrewed to remove the flanges 57". The set screws 43are unscrewed from engagement with the core sections. The bolts 61 ofthe cap 34 and the bolts of the intermediate plate 33 are loosened. Thispermits the end cap 34 and intermediate plate to be moved where they areagain secured in position upon the shaft As will be noted in FIG. 6,perforations 62 are formed in the intermediate plates to permit water orother fluid to drain from the core of the brush units.

In FIGS. 11 to 15 inclusive, I have illustrated a modi fied form ofconstruction for connecting the brush cores 63 to the shaft Zii. Theintermediate plates 64-, as seen in FIG. 14, comprise two coplanarsections dSand 6d connected together about the shaft 2t) by means of nutbearing bolts 67. Each of these sections provides on op positediametrical sides as shown in FIG. 14, laterally extending bosses 68from which project threaded studs 69. Mounted on each of these studs 69is a clamping plate d 70. Between the clamping plate 70 and the lug 68and on opposite sides of the studs 69 are adaptedto be mounted theopposite end portions of thecore sections 23' and 24.

Each section 65 and 66 making up the intermediate plates 64, provideopposing grooves 71 and 72 which are adapted to receive the end portionsof the core sections 23' and 24, FIG. 14. When the core sections 23 and24 are thus mounted with respect to the sections 65 and 66, they areclamped in such position by means of the clamping plates 7% which arecaused to bear against the core sections by threading the nuts 73 firmlythereagainst (FIGS. 11, 14). The intermediate plate 64 is removablykeyed to the shaft 20 by means of keys 74. In order to permit the endsof confronting core sections 23and 24'to abut when arranged in theirrespective groove, there are provided in the ends thereof recesses 78through which the threaded studs 69 pass (FIG. 15

The cap 65" as shown in FIGS.- 11-13 is similar in construction to theintermediate plate 64. The primary difference resides in the form of theclamps indicated at 63'. It will be seen in FIG. 11 that each of theclamps 68 has an inwardly turned flange 75 which is disposed over theend 76 of the adjacent core section (FIGS. 11- 13). The clamp 75 issecured in clamping position by a nut '73 threaded upon a stud 69. Thesections 65 and 66 of the cap 65" are secured about the shaft 29 bymeans of nut-bearing bolts-6'7 and, like the sections 65 and 66 of theintermediate plate 64, are removabiy keyed as at 74 .to the shaft 29.

The form of construction shown in FIGS. 11 to 15 inclusive functionallyand structurally is otherwise the same as the form-of construction shownin FIGS. 1 to 10 inclusive. 7 I

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provideda structure for removably and securely connecting a piurality ofbrashunits upon a rotatable shaft forrotation therewith. Such structure alsopermits, when occasion'requires, separate and individual removal of thebrush units with ease and with the minimum degree of effort on thepartof the operator.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having. thus described my invention, what I claim as new'and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. A rotatable washing .brush having a pair of brush elementscomprising, 7

(a) semi-circular cores having hollow elongated walls,

(b) means provided by said walls for receiving bundles of brush bristlesso that the same will extend substantially perpendicular thereto, 7

e (c) an elongated rotatable shaft about which each hollow core isfreely mounted,

(d) mounting meanstformountingsaid cores in a coplanar relation withrespect to each other. and circumferentially spaced about the shaft,

(e) means provided by said mounting means for re movably receiving the,opposite peripheral edges of said hollow walls for mounting said coresthereto,

(1) means provided by said mounting means through which said shaft isfreely journalled with the hollow wallsiof said cores circumferentiallyspaced there about, and i (g) means for connecting saidmounting' meansand said cores carried thereby to said shaft for rotation therewith. 2.A rotatable washing brush as defined in claim 1 wherein said mountingmeans comprises complementary semi-circular end caps arranged incoplanar relation and upon which the opposite ends of the peripheraledges of corresponding semi-circular cores are mounted in a coplanarrelation with respect to each other and circumferentially spaced aboutthe shaft; and further defined by including as the means provided bysaid mounting means through which said shaft is freely journalled,laterally extending split bearing sleeves provided by said end caps,with said sleeves cooperating to form a circular bearing for embracingsaid shaft.

3. A rotatable washing brush as defined by claim 1 wherein the meansprovided by said mounting means for removably receiving the oppositeperipheral edges of said cores comprise laterally extending spaced apartflange members on said mounting means providing circumferentiallyextending grooves for removably receiving opposite peripheral edges ofthe hollow walls of said cores and further defined by including lockingkeys as the means for connecting said mounting means and said corescarried thereby to said shaft for rotation therewith.

4. A rotatable washing brush comprising a plurality of brush elementsarranged in longitudinal alignment with respect to each other,

(a) said brush elements each comprising semi-circular cores havinghollow elongated walls,

(b) means provided by said walls for receiving bundles of brush bristlesso that the same will extend substantially perpendicular thereto,

(c) an elongated rotatable shaft about which said brush elements arefreely mounted,

(a') means for mounting said cores of each brush element in a coplanarrelationship and circumferentially spaced about said shaft,

(a) means provided by said mounting means for removably receiving theopposite peripheral edges of said hollow walls of each of said cores formounting said brush elements thereto,

(f) means provided by said mounting means through which said shaft isfreely journalled with the hollow 6 walls of each of said corescircumferentially spaced thereabout,

(g) connecting means on opposite ends of said washing brush forreceiving the corresponding peripheral edges of said end brush elementsfor connecting the same together and mounting the connected elements tosaid shaft, and

(It) means provided by said last named means for connecting said brushto said shaft for rotation therewith.

5. A rotatable washing brush as defined by claim 4 wherein said meansfor mounting said cores of each brush element in a coplanar relationshipand circumferentially spaced about said shaft comprises complementarysemicircular intermediate plates positioned about said shaft andproviding means on opposite sides thereof for receiving correspondingperipheral edges of each of said cores for mounting the same upon saidshaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,749,393 3/30Pflimin. 1,975,561 10/34 Dossmann 15-179 1,968,986 8/34 Blackhall 15-532,021,913 11/35 Fallon 29-124 2,970,333 2/61 Jones 15-183 2,97 8,7264/61 Park 15183 FOREIGN PATENTS 645,7 36 6/ 37 Germany.

OTHER REFERENCES Sooieta (German printed application) $32233 11/630, May9, 1956.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

1. A ROTATABLE WASHING BRUSH HAVING A PAIR OF BRUSH ELEMENTS COMPRISING,(A) SEMI-CIRCULAR CORES HAVING HOLLOW ELONGATED WALLS, (B) MEANSPROVIDED BY SAID WALLS FOR RECEIVING BUNDLES OF BRUSH BRISTLES SO THATTHE SAME WILL EXTEND SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR THERETO, (C) ANELONGATED ROTATABLE SHAFT ABOUT WHICH EACH HOLLOW CORE IS FREELYMOUNTED, (D) MOUNTING MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID CORES IN A COPLANARRELATION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER AND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ABOUTTHE SHAFT, (E) MEANS PROVIDED BY SAID MOUNTING MEANS FOR REMOVABLYRECEIVING THE OPPOSITE PERIPHERAL EDGES OF SAID HOLLOW WALLS FORMOUNTING SAID CORES THERETO, (F) MEANS PROVIDED BY SAID MOUNTING MEANSTHROUGH WHICH SAID SHAFT IS FREELY JOURNALLED WITH THE HOLLOW WALLS OFSAID CORES CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED THEREABOUT, AND